Community

Lake Ginninderra has a shiny new inlet

Shane Rattenbury just let us know that the revamp to Lake G’s inlet area is all done, and the area is ready to once again be filled with abandoned shopping trolleys, surly drunk teens, and sick looking wild dogs.

It looks quite nice actually.

“The ACT Government invested $4.67 million in works to improve water quality in the lake, as well as the recreational access and amenity at Eastern Valley Way Inlet on the foreshore of Lake Ginninderra,” Mr Rattenbury said.

“The completed upgrade provides continued improvements to the landscaping and promenade areas adjacent to the lake.

“The inlet has been converted into a wetlands system which will help improve Lake Ginninderra’s water quality and provide important habitat for water birds, frogs and tortoises.

“The wetlands feature a series of ponds and shallower sections which are planted with native aquatic plants that help to filter the water before it moves out to the lake.

“A new pedestrian bridge across the inlet has been constructed, improving access and connectivity with the Belconnen Town Centre precinct and John Knight Memorial Park, and new paving has been laid adjacent to the Belconnen Skate Park. New lighting, picnic tables and tree plantings have also been provided to enable a more attractive and active public space.

After going out for a run/ride and detouring to view these bollards again, I am pleased to report that the powers that be have actually infilled the gap between the bollard uprights with panels of reflective silver and gold tape – they can now be seen and all is well in the world once again!

I’ve ridden past a few times now since the fencing has been removed.
The bollards are very thin and actually blend in with the same colour fencing in the background.
The first time I thought the reflectors were actually on the fencing then as I got almost too close the bollards jumped out at me. Having a wide kid trailer on the back at the time I had to swing it wide and change my approach angle.

During the day, they appear a very different colour to the background and appear to stand out (at least in the above photo). If you are riding at night, the reflectors will reflect the light from your headlight and they will be very obvious.

by way of explanation, I mean that riding or running towards these their colour tends to blend with the background (either end) and the dark red ‘reflector’ doesn’t! At ground level these are less obvious that the previous versions (Concrete?)

During the day, they appear a very different colour to the background and appear to stand out (at least in the above photo). If you are riding at night, the reflectors will reflect the light from your headlight and they will be very obvious.

by way of explanation, I mean that riding or running towards these their colour tends to blend with the background (either end) and the dark red ‘reflector’ doesn’t! At ground level these are less obvious that the previous versions (Concrete?)

It was finished a good many months ago, they just took their time in taking down the fence.

And I must add that the wooden slats on the bridge are very treacherous at 6:30am when covered in a thick layer of frost. I have considered taking a run up and using at an icy slip & slide as I do my morning lakeside shuffle.

by way of explanation, I mean that riding or running towards these their colour tends to blend with the background (either end) and the dark red ‘reflector’ doesn’t! At ground level these are less obvious that the previous versions (Concrete?)